Comparing a News Release to a News Story

SEATTLE; May 7, 2007 – Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq: SBUX) today announces that by the end of 2007, Starbucks will eliminate the use of artificial trans fats in food and beverages in all stores in the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada.

“No longer using artificial trans fats in products sold in our stores allows us to take out ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils that have no health benefit, while retaining high quality and great tasting natural ingredients,” said Denny Marie Post, svp of Global Food and Beverage for Starbucks.“Customers will always have a wide variety of choices at Starbucks to fit their needs and what they desire. While some products will have small amounts of naturally occurring trans fats from quality ingredients like butter, every choice will be free of artificial trans fat ingredients.”

As part of our work on trans fats, Starbucks reached out to several recognized health and nutrition experts to get their opinions and thoughts on the best approach to take toward this important health issue.

“This is a great idea because the scientific evidence indicates that industrial trans fats are more harmful than any other type of fat and can be removed from foods – it’s a win-win situation,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health.

By the end of this year, Starbucks plans to stop using artificial trans fats in food and beverages in all company-operated and licensed stores in the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada. Once we’ve completed this work, every item in these stores – whether it’s a new product introduction or an old favorite – will be made without any artificial trans fat. Work is also underway to begin the removal of artificial trans fats from products in markets outside North America.

Starbucks Coffee Company provides an uplifting experience that enriches people’s lives one moment, one human being, one extraordinary cup of coffee at a time.To share in the experience, visit http://www.starbucks.com.

Java giant will only use naturally occurring fats, like butter, whipped cream

SEATTLE – Starbucks Corp. announced Monday that it will cut artificial trans fats out of food and drinks in its stores in the continental United States, Alaska and Canada by the end of the year.

The coffee retailer isn’t about to quit selling its whipped cream-topped Frappuccino shakes or rich baked sweets, but said it will only use ingredients with naturally occurring fats, like butter, whole milk, eggs and whipped cream.

“No longer using artificial trans fats in products sold in our stores allows us to take out ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils that have no health benefit, while retaining high quality and great tasting natural ingredients,” Denny Marie Post, senior vice president of Starbucks’ global food and beverage unit, said in a statement.

Listed on food labels as partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, trans fats are thought to boost “bad” cholesterol and decrease “good” cholesterol. They have attracted attention from health regulators, most notably in New York City, where they have been banned in restaurants and eateries.

Starbucks joins a growing list of American companies shedding trans fats from their menus. Yum Brands Inc.’s chains KFC and Taco Bell recently switched to a trans-fat free oil. Wendy’s International Inc., McDonald’s Corp. and Burger King Holdings Inc. also are phasing out trans fats.

Starbucks started ridding its U.S. and Canadian stores of trans fats in January. Company spokesman Brandon Borrman said trans fats will eventually be eliminated from its Hawaii stores, but that it will not likely happen by the end of the year because jurisdiction for the state is being shifted from Starbuck’s international division to its domestic unit.

Starbucks also said Monday that it is working to rid trans fats from stores in markets outside North America, but Borrman said no timeline has been set.

How does the news release compare to the news story that was published?

Within the contents of the news story, there was the same information that was listed on the news release. There was a quote that was the same used in the final news story. Although, on the news story, there was more information and details included. The reason that more details were published could have been that they used the contact information at the bottom of the press release to communicate to the company for details. Also, the information could have come from research done by the reporter. Overall, the facts from the press release still were published in the news article and it was a great story.